Ransomware and how to protect yourself.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise nowadays. A report suggested that Ransomware alone cost companies up to $20Billion in yearly damages. Cybercriminals that use it are looking to do just one thing- extort your hard-earned money. This usually pops with a notification on your screen which says “ALL YOUR FILES HAVE BEEN ENCRYPTED, write an email to xyx@xyz.com to obtain a decryption key after paying random amount in BitCoins or else your data would be deleted.”

How does it work?

The notification shown above is the end result, but how all
of it start? For a Ransomware to start working it follows a lifecycle:

DON’T click on
links in email. Always visit the website from your browser by typing the URL.

DON’T pay ransom
to the hacker. This will discourage them to attack as per the FBI.

DON’T download
pirated software. Always do it from the manufacturer’s website. Money paid will
be far less than damage caused due to cyber-attack.

Unfortunately, Ransomware attacks are going to be there for a long time. This is an easy way to rob individuals and companies alike of their money and not to mention their privacy. The only hope to prevent yourself against it is education and few do’s and dont’s listed above.

True Ransomware protection comes from layered security approach rather than a single point of protection. In simple words, it can be said that the castle should not only be guarded with locks on the main door but to provide protection at each point which may grant access to the castle. Even one point of compromise can cost you the entire castle. Don’t get scared, Stay safe!!